Portable table



31,1931 I aw. MATTSON 2,091,368

PORTABLE TABLE Filed June 26, 1933 INVENTOR.' W BY ATTORNEYS.

Patented Aug. 31, 1937 PORTABLE TABLE George W. Mattson, Denver, 0010.

Application June 26, 1933, Serial No. 677,700

7 Claims.

This invention relates to tables, and particularly to a table of the portable type provided with means for suspension, thus making it particularly adaptable for use in automobiles, and for beach .and camping purposes.

One form of suspended table structure is described and claimed in my copending application Ser. No. 618,949, filed June 23, 1932, on which Patent No. 1,928,731 was issued Oct. 3, 1933. An object of the invention is to provide suspension tables including flexible suspension members of normally fixed length which are so related to the table top that the top may be adjusted to horizontal position regardless of the relative levels of the points of support to which the suspension members are attached.

In the accompanying drawing illustrating the invention, in the several figures of which like parts are similarly designated,

Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive are perspective views showing various modes of arranging and connecting the suspension means or flexible straps with the table top.

The illustrated arrangements for the suspension of the table top are modifications of the similar means disclosed in my copending application referred to, and although they have substantially the same function as the means of that application, they differ from the embodiment disclosed therein principally in the manner of arrangement of the suspending straps with respect to the table top and. to the substantially fixedsupport therefor.

In Fig. 1, the table top I is shown as provided adjacent to its corners with apertures or slots 26 through which a continuous flexible suspension means or strap 20 may be passed, this strap extending also through eyes or rings 25 which pro vide four points of attachment for the strap with 40 the top of an automobile or other substantially fixed supporting structure. It will be noted that in this arrangement of the strap the portions thereof which underlie the table top extend in parallelism with its edges.

In Fig. 2, two flexible straps 20 are used, these straps having their ends attached to the corners of the table top, extending upward through four eyes or rings 25 and being crossed above the table top.

In Fig. 3, a single flexible strap 20 is used, this strap being threaded through the apertures or slots 26 at the four corners of the table top, crossed beneath the table top, and extending above the table top in substantially triangular arrangement, where they pass through eyes or rings 25.

Fig. 4 shows a continuous flexible strap ZOpassing through two supporting eyes or rings 25, and extending downwardly through apertures 01- slots 5 26 at the corners of the table top and along .the under side of same and upward through the slots 26 at the other corners of the table top.

Fig. 5 shows a continuous flexible strap 20 passing through two supporting eyes or rings 25, and 10 then extending downward through the apertures or slots 26 and along the under side of the table top parallel to its edges.

In each of the views it will be seen that the table top is provided with an aperture or slot 27 15 adjacent to one side edge and substantially equidistant from the ends of the table top. This slot is for the application of a flexible strap or tape or other connecting member or link which, when the table is used in an automobile may be 20 attached to the robe rail or to the back of the front seat, or to any other convenient fixed part, to prevent swinging of the table.

It is to be noted that when the table top is supported for use by the flexible suspension means 25 or straps 20, 20', the straps may have a longitudinal sliding movement either with respect to the rings 25 or the apertures 26 and, thus, the table top may be leveled about two axes at right angles to each other or given any inclination, or 30 adjustment desired or required for use despite the relative angular arrangement of the support from which it is suspended, the leveling or other adjustment being effected without altering the length of the flexible strap or straps.

Various changes and modifications are 'contemplated as within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A table for suspension from a relatively rigid 40 support, said table comprising a rectangular top member, eye members adapted to be attached to the fixed support at points spaced apart by substantially the length of the top member, and flexible suspension means of substantially fixed length having a set of lower portions connected to the respective corners of said top member and a set of upper portions connected to said eye members; said suspension means including at least one section extending continuously between lower portions at opposite ends of the top member and between upper portions at opposite ends thereof, and the connections between one set of said portions and the associated member being slidable to permit leveling of the top member about two axes at right angles to each other without change in the length of said suspension means.

2. A table as claimed in claim 1, wherein said flexible suspension means comprises a single strand of substantially fixed length, said strand extending continuously through and being slidable in said eye members and in openings at the four corners of the top member.

3. A table comprising a rectangular top member, a plurality of eye members adapted to be attached to a relatively rigid support at points in approximate vertical alinement with the respective ends of the top member when the table is suspended from said rigid support, and a pair of crossed flexible members connected at their lower portions to said top and at their upper portions to said eye members, each flexible member extending from one corner to the diagonally positioned corner of the top member and to eye members at opposite ends of the top, the connections of one set of portions of the flexible members to the associated member being slidable for adjustment of the level of the top member.

4. A table as claimed in claim 3, wherein there are four eye members arranged in approximately vertical alinement with the four corners of the top member, and the lower ends of said flexible members are fixed to the respective corners of the top member, the upper portions of said flexible members extending slidably through the associated eye members.

5. A table comprising a top member having four spaced openings therethrough, and means for suspending said top member from a relatively fixed support; said suspending means comprising a plurality of eye members for attachment to a fixed support, a flexible member including a pair of sections each extending slidably through different pairs of said openings and under said top member between the same, the portions of said flexible member above said sections extending upwardly to pass slidably through at least two of said eye members.

6. A table as claimed in claim 5, wherein said sections of the flexible member extend through a pair of diagonally arranged openings in said top member.

7. A table as claimed in claim 5, wherein said sections of the flexible member extend through a pair of adjacent openings in said top member.

GEORGE W. MATTSON. 

